Hepatitis C self-care

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Hepatitis C self-care

The liver processes your body's waste products and detoxifies harmful substances that you ingest, such as alcohol. It also processes many of the medications you take. The liver stores vitamins and minerals, cholesterol and other substances, then releases them into the blood as needed. It also makes bile, which aids in digestion. These important functions touch every corner of your body. When the liver is harmed, such as from hepatitis, effects can also be felt bodywide. Managing these effects and preventing further harm is a key to self-care for hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C is inflammation of the liver from infection with the hepatitis C virus. For most of the course of the illness, the liver keeps working normally. The large organ has a remarkable ability to compensate for any cells damaged by the virus. You may have many symptom-free years. During this time, your focus is healthy living to prevent further liver damage. This includes taking care of your liver, managing symptoms when they do occur and keeping in touch with your doctor.

Take care of your liver. You can help prevent further liver damage with these important self-care steps:

Avoid alcohol. Alcohol can damage liver cells even in a healthy liver. With hepatitis C, your liver is even more sensitive to alcohol. Hepatitis C impairs the liver's ability to break down alcohol and remove the toxins from the body. Alcohol can speed liver damage, which leads to cirrhosis or severe scarring of the liver. There is no "safe" amount of alcohol for someone with hepatitis C. Take drug treatment for hepatitis C. The treatment for hepatitis C is often a combination of the drugs interferon and ribavirin. Your doctor will take into account many factors - including your risk for future complications from hepatitis C - when deciding what treatment is right for you. If your doctor prescribes antiviral medications, then the goal is to clear your body of the hepatitis C virus and prevent further liver damage. These medications do have side effects, but often the risks of hepatitis C liver damage outweigh the risks of side effects. Side effects can include depression, fatigue, fever and headaches. Learn what side effects are dangerous and when you need to call to your doctor about them. Treatment may be adjusted to reduce side effects. Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. Co-infection with other hepatitis viruses can cause more liver damage if you already have hepatitis C. Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated against the other hepatitis viruses. Talk to your doctor before you take any over-the-counter medicines. Many nonprescription medications, including acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) are broken down by the liver. They can speed up liver damage in a person with hepatitis C. Talk to your doctor before you take any nonprescription medications, including herbal supplements.

Cope with symptoms

Don't ignore any pain or discomfort. Many people with hepatitis C have no symptoms. But some have discomfort in their abdomen, or aching or painful joints. Ask your doctor about the best way to treat any pain or discomfort. Eat right. Hepatitis C can sometimes cause nausea. This can make eating well a challenge. Medications, such as interferon, can also interfere with appetite. There are ways you can work around your symptoms:

Eat small meals a few times a day. Time your meals so you eat when you're feeling good (not nauseous). Eat lots of high carbohydrate foods, such as cereals, grains and breads. These make good snacks in small quantities. Avoid fatty and salty foods.

Pace yourself. Feeling tired is common in people with hepatitis C. Give yourself permission to go slow. Do not overextend yourself. Delegate tasks around the home to others. Say "no" to family and friends who have unrealistic expectations of how much you can do. Break up your own tasks into smaller parts, and do what you can at shorter intervals when you have the energy. Allow time in between activities for relaxation or naps. Talk to your employer about a flexible work schedule. Mind your feelings. Be aware of how you are feeling. It's normal to feel a combination of sadness and anger. Although they are powerful sometimes, you don't have to react to them negatively. Have positive outlets for venting feelings. Support groups may be available in your area where you can gain strength from others living with hepatitis C.

Involve your doctor

Keep your appointments. Your doctor needs to keep close watch on your liver function. You will need regular liver function tests. Talk to your doctor about how often you need to be seen. If you have cirrhosis, you should be screened for hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) with liver imaging tests. See your doctor for:

Jaundice Dark urine Itchy skin Unexplained weight gain or weight loss Increase in tiredness Pain Vomiting

View the original Hepatitis C self-care article on myOptumHealth.com

SOURCES:

Ray SC, DL. Hepatitis C. In: Mandell GL, JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Managing pain from hepatitis C. Accessed: 10/26/2009

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis C. Accessed: 10/26/2009

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Living with hepatitis C. Accessed: 10/26/2009

Berenguer M, TL. Acute and chronic hepatitis C. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, Sleisinger MH. Feldman: Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease, 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2006.

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Chronic hepatitis C: Current disease management. Accessed: 10/26/2009

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